Kevin Love sat out for five weeks with a broken right hand before he returned on Nov. 21, and after suiting up three weeks in advance of his planned return, the Minnesota Timberwolves star is still working out the kinks.

For Love, that means averaging 29 points and 13.5 rebounds in his first two games back. Love, who was originally supposed to be out for eight weeks, said he has yet to reach full strength, according to CSNNW.com.

“(I’m) not too close (to 100 percent). Still got a ways to go conditioning wise, still need to get my legs, and my hand back, too,” Love said. “I was originally scheduled for eight weeks and I came back in five, so the ball just doesn’t feel right in my hand yet and I mentioned being in shape, too, that goes a long way. There’s just nothing that can replicate getting out there and playing.”

The Timberwolves have to be ecstatic to have Love back in the lineup. After he spoke about needing more talent around him, Minnesota’s management infused its team with new players.

Thing is, the group added as complementary pieces were forced to play without the Timberwolves’ two centerpiece players. Point guard Ricky Rubio remained out with an ACL injury and Love was not expected back soon.

The Timberwolves managed to stay above water without Love, going 5-4 in nine games. But injuries to Chase Budinger, Brandon Roy and Nikola Pekovic further depleted the Minnesota roster, which led to a four-game losing streak. Losses to the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers came with Love in the lineup.

Love, sporting a brace on his tender right hand, took notice of the talent surrounding him, and he said Minnesota is better than its 5-6 record.

“It’s just not the same but more than anything just not getting the practice in and not being able to really get a rhythm out there and get into the flow of the offense with the guys that’s the toughest thing,” Love said. “It’s just a number of things that need to come together for myself and also the entire team, because we have the makings to be a pretty good team.”